Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced his decision yesterday that he would not run in the upcoming Palestinian elections.
Ma’ariv reports that Abbas emphasized the finality of his decision by saying in his speech, “I’ve announced my wish not to run again in the elections… This decision is not a bargaining position or a political maneuver.”
Some Palestinian Authority officials have stated that they believe Abbas is the only candidate for the elections, despite his announcement.
From Ma’ariv:
“Peace is more important than the political gain of any party,” Abu Mazen said directly to Israel. “It is more important than any coalition. It has been my position for years that peace is possible.”
But all his remarks, ostensibly said emphatically, are given to interpretation. They have nuances. “Abu Mazen talked about what he wants,” said Nabil Abu Rudeineh, Abu Mazen’s advisers, perhaps in order to hint that nothing final had been decided. Yasser Abed Rabbo, secretary of the PLO Executive Committee, said that the PLO did not intend to accept the decision.
Israel Radio also commented on disbelief within the PA on the finality of Abbas’s announcement, reporting that Muhammad Shtaye of Fatah’s Central Committee said that Abu Mazen would “reassess his decision if a significant political change were to take place.”
It is in the interests of Israel for Abbas to stay in power as well. According to Ma’ariv, a government source said:
“Netanyahu does not want Abu Mazen to leave. He is careful not to embrace him too tightly, but clearly he is the candidate who is the lesser evil among the Palestinian leadership. After Abu Mazen anyone else will only be more extreme. Abu Mazen is wrong about Netanyahu. He doesn’t realize that Netanyahu is willing to go a long way toward the Palestinians, not blindly, but in a way that would surprise the Israeli right wing.”